The champion Lakers made it out of the Pacific division as the only playoff team. It clearly didn’t hurt them for their playoff run. Next year won’t be the same. Shaq aka The Big Cactus has a team of veterans in Phoenix, the Clippers have the 1st pick in the draft, and Golden State is loaded with talent. Kobe’s Lakers ripped through the Pacific last year with a 14-2 record, but next year should be much more challenging with nearly every team on the rise.